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Kerry orchestra tunes up to take centre stage in National Concert Hall

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THE Kerry School of Music Orchestra is celebrating its 30th birthday by paying not one but two visits to the National Concert Hall in Dublin in 2017. The orchestra was set up under the banner of the Kerry School of Music in October 1987 under the direction of Adolf Packeiser.

Adolf, from Bremen, was assistant principal of the music school in the city and musical director in the opera house before moving with his family to live in Kerry in 1982.

The orchestra, which draws its members from all over the county including many from Killarney, has performed widely during its 30 years, appearing at the National Concert Hall on three previous occasions and travelling to Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Finland. “The school is now home the senior and junior orchestra, Kerry Chamber Orchestra and the Finlay Ensemble all of which perform on numerous occasions throughout the county every year,” said director Aidan O’Carroll. “A significant number of the orchestra’s members come from the Killarney area with others hailing from as far away as Listowel and Tarbert, Dingle, Killorglin, Caherciveen, Castleisland and Abbeyfeale.”

The combined junior and senior orchestras – 55 members in all – directed by Aidan O'Carroll, will participate in the 22nd Festival of Youth Orchestras organised by the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on Saturday, February 11. Eight orchestras have been chosen to participate in this year's festival which coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Kerry School of Music.

In June the orchestras will take centre stage in the National Concert Hall in a special celebration of the School of Music’s 35th birthday entitled the Spirit of Kerry. The concert will feature present and former students of the school as well as outstanding musicians and singers from Kerry.

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Centenary exhibition to chart early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry

. The exhibition, which runs from March 10 to March 31, explores the foundational years of the political party within the county between 1926 and 1933. The exhibition details how […]

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The exhibition, which runs from March 10 to March 31, explores the foundational years of the political party within the county between 1926 and 1933.

The exhibition details how the party established itself in a county where Civil War divisions were particularly deep-seated. It covers the transition of local figures from revolutionary activities to parliamentary politics and the intense election battles of the late 1920s. Visitors will be able to view documents and archives that illustrate how the party built its organisation across South Kerry in its first decade.

As part of the event, local historian and author Dr. Owen O’Shea will give a public lecture at the library on Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. His talk will focus on the foundation of the party and the “bullets to ballots” transition in Kerry politics. The exhibition is free to attend and will be open during the library’s scheduled operating hours throughout the month of March.
The project is the result of extensive research funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The grant was awarded under the Commemorations Bursary Scheme for 2025-2026 and managed by the Royal Irish Academy. This scheme supports local research that helps the public better understand the political and social evolution of Ireland following the Civil War.

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St Brendan’s College travel to London

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5th year students from St Brendan’s College went to London on their English school trip.

They enjoyed a production of ‘The Book of Mormon’ at the Prince of Wales theatre.

The following morning was spent touring Tate Modern before attending a tour and a brilliant interactive workshop in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre focusing on their Leaving Certificate single text “Othello”.

The focus of the workshop centred on the performative elements of the play in relation to themes and character development. 

All students performed with great theatrical verve. 

A brilliant experience for all before attending an acclaimed production of the play in the Theatre Royal.

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